Review: On his previous albums, 1977 and 1983, Rune Reilly Kolsch explored different aspects of his childhood, delivering music inspired by favourite formative memories. Predictably, this third full-length also has an autobiographical bent, inspired as it was by what the Danish producer calls his "difficult early teenage years". As he was dealing with both puberty and the break-up of his parents' marriage, it's perhaps unsurprising that 1989 features more music that's melancholic in tone, with extensive use of evocative string arrangements, rough-round-the-edges synthesizers, yearning pianos and nods towards early German techno. Clearly, young Kolsch was prone to teenage mood swings, too, because there's also plenty of surging tech-house beauty and heartfelt dancefloor positivity amongst the glistening poignancy.

Review: Veteran Los Angeleno producer John Tejada unveils his thirteenth Studio Album entitled Dead Start Program. He named it after a system that started an iconic 1960s supercomputer called the CDC 6600, which is used to represent a 'metaphorical reboot from the challenges life throws at you'. Moreover he's said to have used a 'limited studio setup' to create the 11 tracks on offer. From the moody and disjointed hypnotica of opening track "Autoseek", the old-school west coast breaks of "Sleep Spindle" to the brooding smack electro of "Loss" or the bouncy dancefloor euphoria of "The Looping Generation" - which is indeed classic Tejada all the way! The album comes courtesy of Cologne institution Kompakt: an imprint he's had strong rapport with since 2011.

Review: Marcus Worgull and Danilo Plessow's Vermont project saw a couple of house music's most esteemed producers and selectors pursue an alternate musical avenue into ambient/balearic territory. The perfect musical accompaniment to Summertime road trips across the continent or for chilling with friends and loved ones at the beach house or by the campfire. Tracks from the II LP now get the remix treatment by some of the scene's biggest names here. Worgull's close associate and Innervisions boss Dixon is first up and remixes "Dschuna" into an evocative and life-affirming epic, in all its Afro and spiritually influenced glory that you could imagine him playing during one of his acclaimed DJ sets. "Skorbut" receives a shimmering disco-tinged remake by the one and only I:Cube of Versatile Records fame and also on the flip is Wassermann aka Wolfgang Voigt's totally epic Krautramatrik mix of "Paradigma" which takes the track deep into cosmic synth music territory.

Review: Kompakt staple Axel Willner returns to present his sixth full-length effort for Kompakt, following up 2016's rather brilliant LP The Follower. On his latest outing, Willner is said to have looked for inspiration outside of the studio, which opened up fresh perspectives on the creation of new music. Moreover, he has stated that in a current climate of hopelessness, the album provided a sense of relief and comfort to him - providing feel good moments that he did not want to end. Indeed, Infinite Moment is a much more introspective affair than previous releases, from the brooding/slow burning opener "Made Of Steel. Made Of Stone", the smoky and glacial dub techno of "Hear Your Voice" to more evocative moments as heard on "Divide Now" or the life-affirming feel of the title track - which closes the impressive release on an optimistic note.

Review: For his third full-length for the constantly enduring Kompakt label, Axel Willner has decided to take his enduring brand of Balearic loop techno to grandiose new heights. Sonically, the template remains the same - intoxicating layers of guitar, voice and ambient synth loops atop hypnotic dancefloor grooves - but the resultant tracks are just, well, bigger - cinematic, even. Given Willner's inherent skill at producing this kind of baggy, organic techno, the results are rarely less than impressive. As a result, Looping State Of Mind makes for thoroughly enjoyable listening, simultaneously appearing ambitiously big and pleasantly intimate. He deserves enormous credit for pulling it off.

Review: With nearly 40 years experience as a producer, having collaborated with everyone from Holger Hiller, Moritz Von Oswald and Juan Atkins among others, Swiss legend Thomas Fehlmann presents Los Lagos ('The Lakes'). It's his seventh solo full-length (and fourth for Koelsch institution Kompakt), following his Berlin inspired 2010 LP Gute Luft. The multi-talented composer and long standing member of The Orb embarked on a deep journey of soul searching while recording the album - and in the process incorporated elements of art, disco, minimalism, jazz and funk. A collection of glacial and textural dub introversions as best exemplified on "Lowenzahnzimmer" or "Morrislouis", but he also makes room for moments of pulsating hypnotic dancefloor dynamics ("Triggerism") and moments of lush ambient bliss reminiscent of his work with Dr. Alex Patterson on "Geworden".

Review: With nearly 40 years experience as a producer, having collaborated with everyone from Holger Hiller, Moritz Von Oswald and Juan Atkins among others, Swiss legend Thomas Fehlmann presents Los Lagos ('The Lakes'). It's his seventh solo full-length (and fourth for Koelsch institution Kompakt), following his Berlin inspired 2010 LP Gute Luft. The multi-talented composer and long standing member of The Orb embarked on a deep journey of soul searching while recording the album - and in the process incorporated elements of art, disco, minimalism, jazz and funk. A collection of glacial and textural dub introversions as best exemplified on "Lowenzahnzimmer" or "Morrislouis", but he also makes room for moments of pulsating hypnotic dancefloor dynamics ("Triggerism") and moments of lush ambient bliss reminiscent of his work with Dr. Alex Patterson on "Geworden".

Review: Producer Alexander P.J Geiger was very active during the noughties, releasing a string of singles and albums (both as Geiger and Nass) before all but disappearing from view. Fahrland is his latest artistic incarnation and this, the project's debut outing, marks the producer's first release for eight years. The title, Mixtape Volume 1, hints at the album's construction; this is a set of disparate tracks that showcase Geiger's ability to turn his hand to a myriad of genres. So becalmed ambient cuts are followed, in sequence, by tracks that variously doff a cap to Balearic synth-pop, lo-fi electronic soul, ultra-deep house, jammed-out intergalactic techno, krautrock, hip-hop and dream pop.

Review: On the back of Kompakt's expansive retrospective of his work under the Gas alias, the essential Box, Wolfgang Voigt has decided to deliver a new album - his first for 17 years. Predictably, Narkopop is as cinematic, widescreen and densely layered as anything the German ambient producer has done to date. Over 11 spellbinding tracks, Voigt blends field recordings and droning electronics with sweeping, almost orchestral movements, swirling melodic cycles, and occasional forays into rhythmic hypnotism. The result is a collection of "wall of sound" ambient compositions that does a terrific job tiptoeing the fine lines between both grandiosity and intimacy, and joy and pain. In a word: essential.

Review: Well, we're used to hearing Sasha on some progressive tip or, at least, bouncing around in the same space as labels like John Digweed's Bedrock, but here we have proof that the veteran producer is still out to diversify his sound and reach new audiences. The long-time DJ and producer steps up on Cologne's mythical Kompakt stable with "Out Of Time", a magnificently suave and laid-back house bombshell guided by the man's unmistakable prog-flex; this is the sort of gear you want to hear as you step into the dance and sip that first cocktail... a certified mood changer. On the flip we're graced with a few tenacious remixes; Patrice Baumel delivers an eight minute rework of the original, this time filtered through a much housier sort of guise that reminds us of the twilight hours on the Balearic islands' sandy beaches. Check the instrumental too - it'll be a useful DJ tool for sure.

Review: Well it's that time of the year again. Wolfgang Voight compiles the best in ambient for his beloved label and it's more of the same high calibre ambient excursions you'd expect, like in previous editions. Starting off in truly breathtaking fashion with Stephan Matieu's "April Im Oktober", we're then treated to some new material by British icons The Orb, who present us with "Alpine Dawn" further testament to their otherworldly sense for sound. Label mainstay Mikkel Metal appears also with the sombre yet mesmerising cathedral drone of "Titan", as does Leandro Fresco, twice in fact. With both his sublime remix of Dave DK's "Veira" and his own "Configuracion de Atequa" featuring gorgeously uplifting tones reminiscent of old Gas material. Speaking of which, Voight himself appears with his mindblowing "Ruckverzauberung" from 2012 getting a brilliant modern revision by Thore Pfeiffer. Yet again, it goes without saying; this is essential listening.

Review: The appearance of Kompakt's annual Pop Ambient compilation is usually a sign that Christmas is on its way. This year's edition is naturally as soothing and heart-warming as a glass of single malt beside the fire following a heavy festive feast. Highlights include the neo-classical movements of Chuck Johnson's wintry "Brahmi", the bubbly electronics of Kenneth James Gibson's "Destined To Vacate", the cinematic sweeps and layered field recordings of Wurden and Pfieffer's "Vacate" and the gently unfurling bliss of Yui Onodera's "Nine Chairs To The Moon", which sounds like an unlikely collaboration between Johnny Nash and Brian Eno. Those after "bigger" names will enjoy the fine contributions from the Orb and T.Raumschmiere, though there are far more sublime pieces elsewhere on the CD.

Review: Since the release of 2016's epic Gas retrospective, Box, the pioneering drone ambient producer (real name Wolfgang Voigt) has been surprisingly productive. Rausch is the lauded electronic musician's speedy follow-up to last year's Narkopop, which happened to be his first full-length for over 15 years. As you'd expect, Rausch is superb, with Voigt variously turning cinematic orchestral tracks into hybrid electro-acoustic epics. While some are beat-less and fluid, others are loopy, hypnotic and otherworldly, with the German building tension via subtle rhythm tracks that draw on techno and IDM. The results are near faultless, as Voight once again proves that he's a true master of his ambient art.

Review: In the words of Axel Willner himself regarding his fifth studio album "The Follower is about old myths, finding utopia and how mankind repeatedly makes the same mistakes over and over". The title track is fairly stomping acid techno that hypnotises you with its loopy and sinister repetition until the snare drum and organ sets in around the five minute mark; transforming the track dramatically. There's also some stylish electro-pop noir in the form of "Pink Sun" while "Monte Verita" or "Soft Streams" have that classic Kompakt sound ie: ethereal and dreamy house journeys. We particularly enjoyed the droney shoegaze electronics of "Raise The Dead" and the 14 minute long closing epic "Reflecting Lights", an ambient house journey that even The Orb would be impressed by.

Review: Formerly one half of acclaimed duo Footprintz, Clarian North has really come into his own since flying solo, with some terrific releases over the last few years on Turbo, Balance Music and of course Kompakt - Time Safari being his third release for the Cologne based institution in only a mere couple of years. The EP was said to be a two year long process, from recordings made in South Africa with collaborators Richard Marshall and Blane Venter along with many locals along the way. From the futuristic, electro-influenced groove of the title track, the hypnotic and enchanting tech house of "Ancient Cave" awashed in shimmering delightful melodies to epic closer "Early Life", it's a sublime journey from start to finish.

Review: Designed as a kind of "anything-goes" alternative to Kompakt's "Ambient Pop" series, "Velvet Desert Music" was apparently inspired by the desire of its curator, Cologne stalwart Jorg Burger, to "create a distinct vibe and atmosphere". He certainly achieves that aim, offering up a mixture of previously unreleased tracks and mixes that evoke mental images of dusk-till-dawn road-trips across the American Midwest. Highlights are plentiful throughout, from the lilting Americana of Terrapin's "Cirrus Minor (The Black Frame Extract)" and the trippy, delay-laden downtempo headiness of Burger/Ink's "Memphisto", to the menacing dark-pop of the Fantastic Twins, the country-tinged swamp funk of Rebolledo & The Novotones' "Mountain Eagle (The Black Frame Desert Mix)" and the exotic, faintly foreboding slo-mo electronica of Sascha Funke and Cosmo Vitelli's "Botzaris".

Review: Since the release of his debut 12" back in 2013, Anton Kubikov has established himself as one of the fastest-rising names in the dub techno scene. For this keenly anticipated debut album, he's flipped the script a little, delivering a set of breathtaking ambient tracks. Given the atmospheric nature of his previous productions and his obvious attention to detail, it's a move that not only makes sense, but also results in a string of brilliant highlights. Alongside dark and moody, horror-influenced soundscapes and claustrophobic, dub techno-informed pieces, you'll also find Jonny Nash-esque ambient guitar works, blissful piano compositions, gentle new age electronica and the sparkling, wall-of-sound orchestral drone of impeccable closer "Entrance".

Review: Since the release of his debut 12" back in 2013, Anton Kubikov has established himself as one of the fastest-rising names in the dub techno scene. For this keenly anticipated debut album, he's flipped the script a little, delivering a set of breathtaking ambient tracks. Given the atmospheric nature of his previous productions and his obvious attention to detail, it's a move that not only makes sense, but also results in a string of brilliant highlights. Alongside dark and moody, horror-influenced soundscapes and claustrophobic, dub techno-informed pieces, you'll also find Jonny Nash-esque ambient guitar works, blissful piano compositions, gentle new age electronica and the sparkling, wall-of-sound orchestral drone of impeccable closer "Entrance".